Baylor University was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas under the leadership of three farsighted Baptist missionaries - R.E.B. Baylor, James Huckins and Milton Tryon. During the Civil War, Baylor president Rufus Burleson merged the college with a small Baptist preparatory school and moved the campus to Waco, its permanent home. Baylor began granting graduate degrees in 1894, and in 1947 the Baylor Graduate School was officially organized.

With more than 15,000 students, Baylor University is the world's largest Baptist university. Today, Baylor houses 11 colleges and schools, and Baylor students represent 70 foreign countries. Kiplinger's considers Baylor one of the "best values in private colleges," and recent graduate program rankings by the National Research Council indicate that Baylor programs rank among the nation's best in student support and research activity.

Baylor holds a unique place in the academic world. With a rich Christian tradition and a rigorous academic mission, Baylor nourishes diversity of thought, spiritual and intellectual growth, and a thirst for knowledge that extends beyond the classroom. That freedom of exploration is the touchstone of all great universities. It is the hallmark of Baylor.

Fast FACTS

Founded in 1845

• Largest Baptist university in the world
• 15,000 total enrollment
• 1,300 graduate students
• 11 colleges and schools
  (Waco, Dallas, San Antonio, West Point)
• 80 foreign countries represented
• Kiplinger's top 50 "best values in private colleges"
• Nationally ranked research institution, classified as such with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.